Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint

I feel bad, because I kinda found this recipe on another blog, but now I can't remember which one it was, so I can't really credit it. Usually I print these things off so that I remember, but I didn't this time because the recipe is SO EASY, I figured I shouldn't waste a sheet of paper in remembering it. (Never mind! I found it. It's here at Smashed Peas & Carrots)

Here it is:

1 cup water

1 cup cornstarch

food coloring

Simple mix the water and cornstarch up real good, then pour into a muffin tin. Then add a couple of drops of food coloring to each slot. The muffin tin makes for an easy way to separate all the colors. Red, yellow, green, blue, don't forget to mix them for even more colors! So simple!

When you first apply it, it may look a bit watery for a few seconds, but let it dry a little and it turns into a pretty cool fluorescent paint!

I love the way it looks when it's all splattery.



Fun summer project (not to mention cheap!)

I'll be linking up at these great parties!

Out to Lunch

I took a short vacation to Florida to visit my grandparents this week ALL BY MYSELF! Of course, I missed the fam as soon as I stepped on the plane, but it was nice to travel alone. I love to be in airports, so wandering around alone was a special treat. Anyway, now I am back and Scott has the reast of the week off, so we spent a great day at Turner Falls. Finn loved splashing around the springs, but Kinley did NOT. She just isn't much of a water baby! Turner Falls has a few replica "castles" that were built in the 1930s. We asked Finn who he thought lived in them and he said, "Probably Yoda." (Star Wars is his new favorite movie). Then he made us go into each room, looking for him. I told him Yoda was probably out to lunch.

My Apologies...

I know. I've been just awful about my blog lately. Honestly, I haven't been spending that much time on the internet. It just sucks me in and before I know it I've been on for an hour! I've been avoiding temptation I suppose. But, my dad told me how much my grandparents like checking in on it, so I'm going to vow to post more. Even if it's just pictures. On that note:

And here's a video I call "Godzilla Kinley." It's a bit long, but at least you can see her in action. I love you Grandma and Grandpa!

Let's Go to the Movies

Scott and I have always been big moviegoers. I think it's safe to say we fell in love at AMC Theaters! Before we had kids, we would go at least once a week. Today, we thought the time was right to let Finn in on the fun. I was so excited! I was also very nervous. Finn doesn't exactly have a good track record when it comes to sitting still and being quiet. But...HE DID SO WELL! He sat through the entire thing! I'm so proud!
In other news, we've been playing out back a lot. Kinley is still hating the pool (mostly because her brother splashes too much):But she does like to sit in the water table:

Good Day Sunshine!

Now that it's finally FINALLY sunny again, we've been spending more time outdoors. Yesterday, Nicollette and Kristal turned us on to a really cool park near the lake that I didn't even know existed. The boys had a lot of fun flying kites up there:
Then they got distracted by an ice pile. It's going to be so interesting to see if Kinley gets as distracted by random things like ice and sticks and ants. I wonder if these are just natural boy attractions?

We stayed so late at the park that Kinley actually fell asleep in her stroller! Highly unusual. Today we went to the nature park. I love this place. I've been going there since I was Finn's age and it just brings back so much nostalgia. I remember BEGGING my mom to go there. It was just always this really cool special place and it still is! It would be an even cooler place if Finn would just stay by me, but I guess that's why they make kid leashes! Anyway, here's Finn and his new friend Daniel:

Summer Roundup

Our new family (also known as the WORST PICTURE EVER TAKEN):

I know summer has been over for a week now, but I'm a little slow :) This summer has been great obviously. I probably spent too much time griping about the hassles of being pregnant, but it really wasn't so bad. I got to spend some much time with Finn doing some really fun things. We definitely made the most of every play opportunity. I got my healthy baby girl without too much waiting or impatience. I'm still shocked that she was a few days early! Speaking of--she's already 4 weeks old! I have to admit, I was unsure about adding another to our family, but she has just fit right into our lives like a missing puzzle piece. I don't know if it's just easier the second time around or what, but our lives haven't even been too disrupted. Besides staying in and watching a little extra TV, things are about the same. Which is to say that Finn is about the same. He is such an amazing guy! He still hasn't been negative about his sister at all. He's a great big brother.

Anyway, we have finally gotten through all the birthing, birthdays and bathing suits for the summer. I am really looking forward to the holidays with the kids. Halloween is one of my favorites! I imagine we will be having Thanksgiving at my house again, which I always like. And then there is Christmas! Finn is going to have so much fun this Christmas. I think he'll actually get it this year. I am also looking forward to the next year with Kinley. It's so cool to have a little baby again! It's so neat to watch them learn EVERYTHING.